Richmond Canoe Club is a flat-water racing kayaking and canoeing club. We train 52 weeks of the year, in all weathers, and there are races of some description at least once every month through the year.

All paddlers are expected and encouraged to race regularly. Marathon races take place in 9 divisions, ranging from beginner-level to international standard, so every paddler can find an appropriate level of competition. Taking part in races is not only great fun, but essential for paddlers if they are to improve boat skills.

Regular paddling at Richmond takes the form of participation in training groups (all year round, for adult novices and improvers primarily on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings, and on other days too as you improve) and the regular Club time trials (10k on Wednesday evenings April to September.) Kayak racing not only requires skill and technique, but also good all-round fitness. In order to advance through the racing divisions we encourage paddlers to expand their training to include running, core-strengthening gym exercises and kayak ergo.

Previous experience and high levels of fitness are not required when novices join Richmond Canoe Club.  Enthusiasm and commitment to paddling, and to the club, conquers all. To progress in racing you should plan to commit to at least two sessions a week of paddling, plus land-based training.

We all know that life can be demanding, being stretched in different directions, but if you are willing to commit regular time to Richmond Canoe Club, we will help you improve your fitness and strength, teach you the art of kayaking, incorporate you into the wonderful social side of RCC and take you to some of the most rewarding and exhilarating events of you life – sprint and marathon kayak races!

To start paddling and racing at Richmond Canoe Club

We run Adult Introduction to Racing Courses between April and October. Each course comprises four on-the-water sessions and two indoor technique sessions on the paddle machines. The sessions are usually on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings but each course may vary slightly. The course provides an introduction to the sport of racing kayaking and to Richmond Canoe Club. It’s suitable for complete beginners and those who’ve had some paddling experience in other types of kayak (eg white water). The course costs £140 and more details can be found if you click on Introduction to Racing Kayaking Course.

Our last course of the year will be starting on Saturday 9th September – see full dates below. The course will open for booking on Thursday 7th September.

Booking for all of our courses is on a first-come-first-served basis. To book on one of our courses click here Course booking
The dates for the next course are:
Saturday 9th September, 2-4.30pm, water session
Tuesday 12th September, 7-8.30pm, land-based technique session
Saturday 16th September, 2-4.30pm, water session
Tuesday 19th September, 7-8.30pm, land-based technique session
Saturday 23rd September, 2-4.30pm, water session
Saturday 30th September, 12-2pm land theory session & club lunch, 2-4.30pm, water session.

If you cannot make the above dates, but are interested in coming on a course in 2024 please e-mail lovekayaking@googlemail.com and we will add you to our mailing list. We will e-mail you when new course dates in 2024 are published. Please note that we will only e-mail when course dates have been fixed

You can also come down to the canoe club and chat to our coaches and current novices to get a better idea of whether the sport, and Richmond Canoe Club, is right for you. The best time to do this is usually a Saturday afternoon at about 4.30pm. You’re welcome to come down to the club at other times of the week, but we can’t guarantee that there’ll be a coach to talk to.

The course is an introduction to racing kayaking. If you are more interested in recreational paddling, or in specific disciplines such as white water or sea kayaking, we suggest you look on the Canoe England website www.canoe-england.org.uk/findaclub.aspx, where you can find details of other clubs in the area that focus on different aspects of the sport.